IOWA CITY, Iowa—South Dakota softball shutout Creighton 7-0 in game one and lost a late lead in a 5-4 decision to Valparaiso on day two of a tournament hosted by University of Iowa.
Coyote shortstop Shelby Keil hit a two-run home run in a three-run first inning against Creighton (7-15), which was plenty of offense for pitcher Ally Wiegand. The freshman didn't allow a Bluejay to touch third in tossing her second shutout of the season. Wiegand (4-4) struck out seven, walked none, and allowed three singles, two of which came in the final inning. She retired the side in order in four of seven innings.
South Dakota backed up its first inning with three more runs in the second and one more in the third. Each of those four runs were unearned as Creighton committed five errors. Keil and Taylor Steinfeldt finished with two hits apiece. Center fielder Christy Warnock doubled, reached base all three times and scored twice.
Valparaiso (11-6) got four consecutive hits from the top of its order in the seventh inning to walk off with a 5-4 win in the nightcap. The Crusaders trailed 4-3 entering their final at bat. A lead-off walk, sacrifice bunt and base hit by Carly Trepanier tied the game at 4-4. Trepanier scored the winning run three batters later on a bases-loaded single by Jenna Stauffenberg.
Emily Winckler gave USD a 2-0 lead with a two-run double in the third inning. Creighton responded with three runs in the bottom of the inning, but the Coyotes regained the lead with two runs in the fifth. Camille Fowler, who was 3-for-4 against Valparaiso, singled and scored the tying run in the fifth. Shelby Keil doubled and scored the go-ahead run on a ground ball by Jamie Holscher.
The Coyotes (8-16) continue play in Iowa City Sunday with a 1 p.m. rematch with Creighton.